On the Geography page you will learn about the physical and biological features of Zambia. You can learn more about the water, climate and land of Zambia as well as information about plants and animals. With so many facts to read, let's get started!
Land
Map of Zambia
Here is a map of Zambia. You might notice some similarities already between your country and mine. Take a few minutes to look over the map. What do you notice? We have lakes, airports, rivers and national parks just like you do in your country!
Lusaka is the Capital of Zambia. What is your countries capital? Zambia is a tropical region located in Southern Africa. Zambia is slightly larger than Texas and has a population of 12.926 Million! The major cities of Zambia, outside of the capital are Kitwe, Ndola, Kabwe, Mufulire, Chingola, Luanshya and Livingstone.
Zambia has one international airport and over 130 domestic airports. In Zambia we travel by car, but only about 22% of our roads are paved. Can you imagine? It's going to be a bumpy ride!
Zambia is warm all year round but has three distinct seasons. How many seasons are there in your country? There are mainly two seasons in Zambia. A rainy season (November- April) and a dry season (May-December). Our rainy season is like your summer, and our dry season is like your winter! 8 or more months of year our temperature is around 68°! Our days are typically warm and comfortable. (The World Factbook, 2011)
Month(s)
November-April
May/June-August
September-October/November
Season
Rainy season
Cool Dry Season
Hot Dry season
Zambia receives on average 33.0 in of precipitation annually or 2.7 in each month. (Climate Temp, 2011)
Zambia has many lush forested plateaus that are cut through by rivers such as the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls and the Kariba Dam. The Kariba Dam is in the Kariba Gorge of the Zambezi river basin between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is on of the largest dams in the world, standing 420 ft tell and 1,900 feet long. This dam is hydroelectric, meaning the water running through the dam is creating electricity which powers its surrounding cities.
Victoria Falls
Zambia is drained by two major river basins: the Zambezi/Kafue basin in the center, west and south covering about three-quarters of the country; and the Congobasin in the north covering about one-quarter of the country. The Zambezi river runs over Victoria falls which is the largest waterfall in the world! Many Zambian people get their water sources from these rives. (Patterns of Hydrological Change in the Zambezi Delta, 2011)
Animals
If it's classic African animals you want, than look no further! Zambia's national parks are host to many traditionally African animals. Check out all the animals that call Zambia their home. (Lonely Planet, 2011) Click the animal names below to see pictures and learn more about your favorite animals, and some new ones too!
"The country’s main vegetation zones are miombo woodland, which covers the plateau areas (about 65% of Zambia); mopane woodland in the hotter, lower parts of the country, such as the Zambezi and Luangwa Valleys; and acacia woodland and semi-evergreen forest in the south and west" (Lonely Planet, para. 1, 2011)
Dambos are flat bottomed drainage valleys on the plateau. Their water levels rise and fall seasonally. Dambos cannot support any trees but are rich in herbs, grasses and flowing plants like orchids.
Sundew
Weeds
Bladderwarts
Dambos are permanently damp and provide great grazing for various animals. Elephants seek out the underground water from the dambos as it contains more minerals than water in streams and waterholes. Much of the upper and middle course of the Kafue River is lined with dambos.
Floodplains often contain no trees or bushes. Only certain grass types that can handle being underwater for long periods. are able to grow. For example, Wild Rice, can grow its stems to rise above the water level. (Go2Africa, 2011)
The Carnivorous plant FAQ: What carnivorous plants live in northern Africa?. (n.d.). Barry's web site.Retrieved December 6, 2011, from http://www.sarracenia.com/faq/faq751
1970s, t. l., Mozambique., & agreement, A. h. (n.d.). Zambia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved December 5, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zambia
Zambia climate information - climatetemp.info. (n.d.). World weather and climate graphs, average climate charts, guide to precipitation, temperatures, best, friendly, holiday climate. Retrieved December 5, 2011, from http://www.climatetemp.info/zambia/#imperial
Geography
Table of Contents
On the Geography page you will learn about the physical and biological features of Zambia. You can learn more about the water, climate and land of Zambia as well as information about plants and animals. With so many facts to read, let's get started!
Land
Here is a map of Zambia. You might notice some similarities already between your country and mine. Take a few minutes to look over the map.
What do you notice? We have lakes, airports, rivers and national parks just like you do in your country!
Lusaka is the Capital of Zambia. What is your countries capital? Zambia is a tropical region located in Southern Africa. Zambia is slightly larger than Texas and has a population of 12.926 Million! The major cities of Zambia, outside of the capital are Kitwe, Ndola, Kabwe, Mufulire, Chingola, Luanshya and Livingstone.
Zambia has one international airport and over 130 domestic airports. In Zambia we travel by car, but only about 22% of our roads are paved. Can you imagine? It's going to be a bumpy ride!
The terrain of Zambia is mostly high plateau, with some hills and mountains. (The World Factbook, 2011)
Weather & Climate
Zambia is warm all year round but has three distinct seasons. How many seasons are there in your country? There are mainly two seasons in Zambia. A rainy season (November- April) and a dry season (May-December). Our rainy season is like your summer, and our dry season is like your winter! 8 or more months of year our temperature is around 68°! Our days are typically warm and comfortable. (The World Factbook, 2011)
Month(s)
Season
Zambia receives on average 33.0 in of precipitation annually or 2.7 in each month. (Climate Temp, 2011)
Zambia Climate graph contributed by climatetemp.info
Water
Zambia has many lush forested plateaus that are cut through by rivers such as the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls and the Kariba Dam. The Kariba Dam is in the Kariba Gorge of the Zambezi river basin between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is on of the largest dams in the world, standing 420 ft tell and 1,900 feet long. This dam is hydroelectric, meaning the water running through the dam is creating electricity which powers its surrounding cities.
Zambia is drained by two major river basins: the Zambezi/Kafue basin in the center, west and south covering about three-quarters of the country; and the Congobasin in the north covering about one-quarter of the country. The Zambezi river runs over Victoria falls which is the largest waterfall in the world! Many Zambian people get their water sources from these rives. (Patterns of Hydrological Change in the Zambezi Delta, 2011)
Animals
If it's classic African animals you want, than look no further! Zambia's national parks are host to many traditionally African animals. Check out all the animals that call Zambia their home. (Lonely Planet, 2011) Click the animal names below to see pictures and learn more about your favorite animals, and some new ones too!
Plants
"The country’s main vegetation zones are miombo woodland, which covers the plateau areas (about 65% of Zambia); mopane woodland in the hotter, lower parts of the country, such as the Zambezi and Luangwa Valleys; and acacia woodland and semi-evergreen forest in the south and west" (Lonely Planet, para. 1, 2011)
Dambos are flat bottomed drainage valleys on the plateau. Their water levels rise and fall seasonally. Dambos cannot support any trees but are rich in herbs, grasses and flowing plants like orchids.
Dambos are permanently damp and provide great grazing for various animals. Elephants seek out the underground water from the dambos as it contains more minerals than water in streams and waterholes. Much of the upper and middle course of the Kafue River is lined with dambos.
Floodplains often contain no trees or bushes. Only certain grass types that can handle being underwater for long periods. are able to grow. For example, Wild Rice, can grow its stems to rise above the water level. (Go2Africa, 2011)
References
Animals in Zambia - lonely planet travel information . (n.d.). lonely planet travel guides and travel information. Retrieved December 5, 2011, from http://www.lonelyplanet.com/zambia/wildlife/animals
The Carnivorous plant FAQ: What carnivorous plants live in northern Africa?. (n.d.). Barry's web site.Retrieved December 6, 2011, from http://www.sarracenia.com/faq/faq751
Kariba dam on the Zambezi, Zambia/Zimbabwe | international rivers. (n.d.). international rivers. Retrieved December 6, 2011, from http://www.internationalrivers.org/es/kariba-dam/kariba-dam?size=_original
Plants in Zambia - lonely planet travel information . (n.d.). lonely planet travel guides and travel information. Retrieved December 5, 2011, from http://www.lonelyplanet.com/zambia/wildlife/plants
1970s, t. l., Mozambique., & agreement, A. h. (n.d.). Zambia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved December 5, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zambia
Vegetation in Zambia | African holidays | Go 2 Africa. (n.d.). Go 2 Africa | the experts in African safari travel.Retrieved December 6, 2011, from
http://www.go2africa.com/zambia/african-safari-guide/plants
Zambia climate information - climatetemp.info. (n.d.). World weather and climate graphs, average climate charts, guide to precipitation, temperatures, best, friendly, holiday climate. Retrieved December 5, 2011, from http://www.climatetemp.info/zambia/#imperial
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_477/12657149538nwiGQ.jpg
Page Created by Rachael Caise ©racaise@ilstu.eduCreated: 11/28/11Last Modified: 12/6/11